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Former Elgin day care center teacher pleads guilty to sexually abusing kids in classroom

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:50:40 GMT

KANE COUNTY, Ill. — A former day care teacher in Elgin, accused of sexual abuse on at least two occasions, has pleaded guilty to the charges.The Kane County State's Attorney's Office announced Wednesday that Frank Walaitis pled guilty to multiple felony counts of criminal sexual abuse. Walaitis must register for life as a sex offender per the Illinois Sex Offender Registration Act.Authorities alleged that Walaitis sexually abused two children, who were younger than 13, while employed at The Learning Tree.Walaitis was the victims’ teacher and was in charge of their care. Prosecutors alleged the abuse took place inside his classroom between Dec. 2008 and July 2022.Frank WalaitisFollowing Walaitis' arrest, The Learning Tree issued a statement, saying in part, that "(Walaitis) was removed from the center as soon as the allegations were made, " and he was no longer employed at the child care center. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines Sentencing is set for Feb. 8.Anyone with addit...

Owners of Colorado funeral home arrested after 189 bodies found on premises

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:50:40 GMT

WAGONER, Okla. (KXRM) — The owners of the Return to Nature Funeral Home in Colorado where 189 bodies were found improperly stored have been arrested.The 4th Judicial District Attorney's Office announced Wednesday that Jon and Carie Hallford were arrested in Wagoner, Oklahoma on suspicion of committing the crimes of abuse of a corpse, theft, money laundering and forgery, all of which are felonies.Colorado Gov. Jared Polis also released a statement following the arrests on Wednesday."I am relieved that criminal charges have been brought against the funeral home owner and a criminal investigation is proceeding," said Governor Polis. "I know this will not bring peace to the families impacted by this heart-wrenching incident but we hope the individuals responsible are held fully accountable in a court of law.” Man accused of living with dead body for months spent victim’s money on Amazon: prosecutors The remains were found in early October by authorities responding to a report of an “a...

A first look at 'Boop! The Musical'

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:50:40 GMT

CHICAGO — Before it makes its way to Broadway, a new musical featuring an iconic character from the 1930s is going to open in front of audiences in Chicago. "Boop! The Musical" features the story of Betty Boop and her "dream of an ordinary day off from the super-celebrity in her black-and-white world leads to an extraordinary adventure of color, music, and love in New York City."It will have a run at the CIBC Theatre downtown starting on November 19 and running through December 24.Two-time Tony Award-winning director Jerry Mitchell ("La Cage aux Folles" & "Kinky Boots") has created the show with 16-time Grammy Winner David Foster (Most recently "Crazy Love") providing the music. Jasmine Amy Rogers, a 24-year-old actress and singer from Richmond, Texas, has been cast in the lead role as Betty Boop. She along with the rest of the cast will have the month to debut the show in front of Chicago audiences before it makes its way to New York City in 2024. Dean Richards got a sneak peek...

Texas voters reject measure to raise mandatory retirement age for judges

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:50:40 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Texas voters resoundingly rejected a constitutional amendment Tuesday that would have allowed state judges to stay on the bench for four years longer by extending the mandatory retirement age from 75 to 79.Proposition 13 was the only amendment Texans voted against in the election. When it was proposed during the regular legislative session, House Joint Resolution 107 cleared both the House and Senate with broad bipartisan support and faced little and sometimes no public opposition during committee hearings.More than 60% of voters declined to increase the retirement age, according to election results.The amendment's failure means Texas' highest-ranking judge will be forced to retire within the next year. Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Nathan Hecht will turn 75 years old next year.Brian Smith, a politics professor at St. Edwards University, suggested that the age of public figures is top of mind for voters as they sour on the ages of the two 2024 presidential fro...

U.S. Surgeon General, Matthew McConaughey speak to UT students about loneliness

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:50:40 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- In 2016, when Dr. Vivek Murthy was the U.S. Surgeon General under the Obama Administration, he spoke with students at the University of Texas about mental health. Students told him that even though they were on a campus with thousands of other people, they felt like nobody actually knew them. Dr. Murthy said this was one of the earliest conversations that helped him understand loneliness is a public health issue. Seven years later Dr. Murthy is back on the Forty Acres, this time as the U.S. Surgeon General under the Biden Administration, and discussing the challenges of loneliness as part of his "We Are Made to Connect" tour. It's part of the Biden Administration's efforts to tackle the nation's mental health crisis. Dr. Murthy said one out of every two adults are struggling with loneliness. It is an issue greatly impacting college students across the nation that leads to a greater risk of depression and suicide. Speaking with students and a starThe discussion abou...

Congressman urges FAA to up number of air traffic controllers at Austin airport

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:50:40 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Texas Congressman Greg Casar, who represents the district covering the Austin area, has called for the Federal Aviation Administration to add more air traffic controllers at the Austin Bergstrom International Airport. Casar sent a letter to Michael Whitaker, administrator of the FAA, urging "the strongest possible staffing levels for Air Traffic Controllers at AUS." U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-Austin) put out a similar call and letter last month. US congressman urges FAA to address safety issues at Austin airport “The Air Traffic Controller staffing levels and attrition at Austin’s airport must be addressed,” Casar said in a release. “Near-miss incidents at Austin-Bergstrom and at airports across the country are unacceptable. The FAA must better recruit, train, and retain good staff to make sure workers, passengers, and all people at our airport are safe.” "In Texas’s 35th Congressional District, the City of Austin has experienced unacceptable ...

Wild trade Calen Addison to San Jose for prospect, fifth-round draft pick

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:50:40 GMT

NEW YORK — Wild general manager Bill Guerin waited till the last minute to sign Calen Addision this fall, giving the defenseman a one-year, $825,000 contract two days before training camp started in September.Guerin must not have liked what he has seen from Addison this season.The Wild on Wednesday traded Addison to the San Jose Sharks, currently the worst team in the NHL, for forward prospect Adam Raska and a fifth-round pick in the 2026 entry draft.Addison started every game for the Wild (5-5-2) this season and had five assists and a plus/minus of minus-3. The timing of the deal might indicate the impending return of veteran defenseman Jared Spurgeon, who is with the team in New York for Thursday’s game against the Rangers.Spurgeon, the team’s captain, hasn’t played since suffering an upper body injury in an Oct. 5 preseason game at Chicago.Because Raska, 22, is likely to be sent straight to AHL Iowa, the move immediately frees up $825,000 in salary cap space for the cap-strapped ...

Vikings star receiver Justin Jefferson returns to practice

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:50:40 GMT

After missing the required number of games, star receiver Justin Jefferson has been designated for return. As a result, Jefferson was able to practice on Wednesday at TCO Performance Center, and the Vikings now have 21 days to activate him from injured reserve.Though this is the first step for Jefferson getting back on the field for a game, it does not necessary mean he will play for the Vikings against the New Orleans Saints this weekend. The medical staff will monitor how Jefferson responds to work in practice before making that decision.The fact that the Vikings have managed to turn things around without their best player is notable. Not only are they are a perfect 4-0 without since Jefferson suffered a hamstring injury in to the Kansas City Chiefs, the Vikings have improved their record to 5-4 in the process to get themselves back into the NFC playoff picture.Related ArticlesMinnesota Vikings | The Loop Fantasy Football Report Week 10: New Viking Dobbs only latest fir...

South St. Paul Library to close Dec. 1 ahead of new Kaposia Library opening

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:50:40 GMT

The South St. Paul Library will be closed beginning Dec. 2 ahead of the opening of the new Kaposia Library, Dakota County announced Tuesday.The new Kaposia Library, which will be located at Seventh and Marie Avenues, will have a large community room, several conference rooms, study rooms and a reading garden, according to the county news release.The name Kaposia refers to the seasonal village of the Mdewakanton Dakota, located along the Mississippi River in St. Paul and South St. Paul, and was chosen to highlight local history.While the South St. Paul Library at Third and Marie Avenues is closed, customers can pick up holds and return items at a temporary location at Central Square Community Center at 100 N. 7th Ave. in South St. Paul.Construction on the new library will be complete by the end of the year and it is expected to open in early 2024. Kaposia will be the 10th library for the county.Related ArticlesLocal News | Dakota County education levy referendums: Several ...

Neels victorious in Butte by-election

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:50:40 GMT

Sunny South NewsThe unofficial results have been tabulated and Crystal Neels is the new councillor-elect for the Town of Picture Butte, following the Nov. 7 by-election. Crystal Neels finished the night with 218 Votes, followed by Mike Davies with 146 votes. The by-election marks the first time in several years that an election took place to determine municipal government positions as members of council and the mayor were acclaimed to their roles in Butte following the 2021 election.This summer, former councillor, Scott Thompson resigned from council. Neels and Davies both put their names forward following the resignation. The official results will be released by the Returning Officer at 12 p.m., four days after Election Day, as per the Local Authorities Election Act. The swearing-in of the Councillor-Elect will occur on at the upcoming Nov. 14 council meeting. A full story is forthcoming in the Nov. 14 edition of Sunny South News.